fbpx
"White Sands National Monument, New Mexico" by Murray Foubister is licensed under CC by 2.0, this image was edited to better fit this page.

White Sands National Park

Park News

COVID-19 STATUS: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

PARK PHASED REOPENING

Face Masks or Coverings Required in Certain Areas Social Distancing Required Visitors Centers, Stores and/or Other Facilities Closed
Click this box for more information.
If you believe this information is incorrect or needs updating, please let us know by using the link after clicking this box.

COVID-19 STATUS: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

PARK PHASED REOPENING

If you believe this information is incorrect or needs updating, please let us know here.
So what does "Park Phased Reopening" mean?

According to the U.S. National Park Service, White Sands National Park is currently working on reopening. This can mean that certain areas are closed. It can include trails, campgrounds, facilities, visitor centers, etc. Visit the source link below for more detailed information regarding this park's status.

What we know:

The below source link has more information about the status of the park. The National Park Service requires everyone at this park, regardless of vaccination status, to continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces, such as narrow/busy trails, overlooks, visitor center patios, & other congested areas.

Face Masks or Coverings Required in Certain Areas

White Sands National Park is currently requiring masks or face coverings in certain or all areas. Depending on your vaccination status, if you are not fully vaccinated (meaning two weeks after your final vaccination), and according to CDC guidelines, which currently depends on the COVID-19 transmissibility rate in the community in and around the park. Most parks requiring masks indoors have put an alert out (found below in the Alerts section). Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the state of New Mexico and the local community for more detailed information.

Social Distancing Required

White Sands National Park is currently requiring everyone to social distance, 6 feet or more, from others. This usually means outside of your immediate group. Some parks may also have size restrictions on gatherings to help assist in social distancing. Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the state of New Mexico and the local community for more detailed information.

Visitors Centers, Stores and/or Other Facilities Closed

White Sands National Park currently has visitors centers, stores, or other facilities closed due to Covid-19. It is highly suggested that you bring all the supplies you may need in case a store is closed or shopping is limited due to local communities or the park. Please refer to the U.S. National Park Service, the state of New Mexico and the local community for more detailed information.

Last Updated: August 30, 2021
Loading...Loading Park Alerts...

Park Alerts (3)

***Discover Our Parks, LLC takes no responsability in the accuracy of these alerts, which are taken directly from NPS.gov, and we provide them for informational purposes only. Please refer to NPS.gov for more information.

White Sands National Park News

Showing the last 10 news releases. Click here to visit nps.gov's White Sands National Park - News section for more.

  • Fossilized Footprints Reveal Human Habitation of the North America Thousands of Years Earlier than Previously Thought

    September 23, 2021 | 12:30 pm

    New scientific research conducted at White Sands National Park in New Mexico has uncovered the oldest known human footprints in North America.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Fossilized Footprints Reveal Human Habitation of North America Thousands of Years Earlier than Previously Thought

    September 23, 2021 | 9:04 am

    New scientific research conducted at White Sands National Park in New Mexico has uncovered the oldest known human footprints in North America. The discovery reveals evidence of human occupation in the Tularosa Basin beginning at least 23,000 years ago, thousands of years earlier than previously thought.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Fatality in White Sands National Park

    July 6, 2021 | 3:09 pm

    At approximately 11 pm, July 4, White Sands National Park rangers initiated a search and rescue after locating an unoccupied vehicle in the park. At 4:40 pm, July 5, search and rescue teams discovered a deceased male located off-trail at White Sands National Park.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Tourism to White Sands National Park creates $26.0 million in Economic Benefits Report shows visitor spending supports 309 jobs in local economy

    June 10, 2021 | 1:29 pm

    A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 415,000 visitors to White Sands National Park in 2020 spent $22.5 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 309 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $26.0 million.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • The World's Longest Fossilized Human Trackway Discovered at White Sands National Park

    October 9, 2020 | 7:19 am

    Through the muddy shore of what was once Lake Otero, a female (or adolescent male) and child walked along, not knowing that evidence of their journey, through their footprints, would linger for more than 10,000 years.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • White Sands National Park Seeks Public Comments on Amenity and Permit Fee Increase

    August 20, 2020 | 9:32 am

    White Sands National Park proposes changes to current fees for enhanced visitor services including, the Full Moon and Lake Lucero ranger-guided hikes, backcountry tent camping, and group use area reservations, as part of its commitment to improving the visitor experience.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Through Online Events, White Sands National Park Celebrates the Perseid Meteor Shower Virtually

    August 6, 2020 | 11:00 am

    Every August, we are treated to the largest and most active meteor shower of the year: the Perseid Meteor Shower. White Sands National Park invites you to join us as we celebrate the meteor shower through a series of online events.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • Celebrate MothaPalooza and National Moth Week with White Sands National Park

    July 15, 2020 | 12:00 pm

    Enjoy MothaPalooza, a virtual family-friendly event, and learn about some of the extraordinary moths which only live in the world’s largest gypsum dunefield at White Sands National Park.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • White Sands National Park Is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance

    March 21, 2020 | 4:22 am

    White Sands National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of Sunday, March 22, 2020, White Sands National Park, is closed until further notice.

    Read more at nps.gov

  • White Sands National Park is Modifying Operations to Implement Latest Health Guidance

    March 17, 2020 | 2:29 pm

    White Sands National Park is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 18, 2020, the visitor center, Western National Parks park store, White Sands Trading Company, is closed until further notice. In addition, all park ranger programs, and backcountry camping is cancelled until further notice. Where it is possible to adhere to the latest health guidance, Dunes Drive and all hiking trails will remain open.

    Read more at nps.gov

data source: nps.gov/whsa/learn/news/newsreleases.htm
↑